Perched atop the majestic El Panecillo hill in Quito, Ecuador, stands the awe-inspiring statue of the Virgin of El Panecillo, a symbol of both religious devotion and cultural heritage.

Ascending the hill, visitors are treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the sprawling city below, making the journey itself a memorable experience. At the summit, the towering statue of the Virgin Mary, crafted with intricate detail and grace, commands attention and reverence.Aside from its religious...

Hiked up the stairs to Virgin of the Panecillo all by myself. Along the way I talked to about 10 people (old, genuinely nice elders) about safety of walking up. They all told me that it's dangerous and recommended that I take the bus or taxi up.

Not heeding their advice I kept pushing upward through the stairs because the space is very open that I can spot shady people approaching me from afar. I got to the last stretch/flight of stairs where the stairs are now sandwiched narrowly between...

The statue itself is interesting, as it's made from many aluminium panels, which is rare. It is apparently a copy of an earlier statue. But the real reason to visit this statue is to see the 360° views of Quito from the top of the El Panecillo mountain. It takes about an hour to walk to the top from the base of the mountain, but I was warned by locals that it is dangerous to do that, because of high chance of robbery on the way. I took a taxi, which just cost $3, but I didn't see any sign...